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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
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Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
Classification relationships
Characteristic Soils Are:
Amarillo, Arch, Brownfield, Clovis, Drake
Gomez, Mansker, SpringerTable 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub Not specified
Herbaceous Not specified
Physiographic features
This site occurs on level to gently undulating sloping eolian and alluvial sediments on the uplands. Characteristically, the landscape is hummocky. Elevation ranges from 3,600 to 4,800 feet above sea level. Slope ranges from 0 to 9 percent. Exposure varies and is not significant.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plain
(2) Sand sheet
Elevation 3600 – 4800 ft Slope 0 – 9 % Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The climate of this area can be classified as “semi-arid continental”.
Precipitation averages from about 15 to 16 inches annually with approximately 75 percent of this yearly moisture falling during the period of May through October. Most summer rainfall is associated with usually brief afternoon and evening thundershowers, which occasionally produce heavy rain over a small area, and sometimes bring a little hail. Winters are generally dry, with only one or two days a month when as much as one-tenth inch of moisture falls. However, winter average 20 inches of snow, although most snowfalls are light with an occasional storm producing up to six inches. Following these storms, snow may lie on the ground for several days and occasionally moderate to strong winds accompanying these storms result in blizzard conditions and heavy drifting. Although the precipitation patterns favor the production of warm-season plants, sufficient moisture is received in the late winter and the spring to support cool-season plants. Approximately 25 percent of the annual precipitation is received during April and May. May is generally the wettest month followed by July and then August.
Temperatures show the seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal ranges characteristic of such a climate. Summers are generally mild. The high daily temperature reading exceed 90 degrees F about one-third of the time, and readings of 100 degrees F occur about once a year. Rapid cooling after sundown results in minimum temperatures below 60 degrees F on most nights, even in midsummer. Winter shade temperatures usually rise to the mid-40’s and an average of only 15 days fail to see temperatures rise above the freezing mark most of the time from early November through March; below zero readings occur on an average of only three times a year.
The freeze-free season ranges from 168 days to 171 days between April 28th to October 16th. Both temperatures and annual precipitation favor warm-season plants. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation is received during the season where temperatures will benefit cool-season plants and only 10 percent falls during the dormant season.
While open to winter invasions of arctic air over the Great Plains, this area is far enough south and west to miss many of these outbreaks. Mountains to the north and west intercept mush of the precipitation from the Pacific northwest storms coming through this area during the winter. An average hourly wind velocity for the year is 15 miles per hour. Somewhat higher winds prevail during the spring months, but velocities exceeding 24 mile per hour are experienced only 10 percent of the usual year. Stronger winds blow chiefly from a westerly or southwesterly direction during the spring. Relative humidity is moderately low.
Climate data was obtained from http://www.wrcc.sage.dri.edu/summary/climsmnm.html web site using 50% probability for freeze-free and frost-free seasons using 28.5 degrees F and 32.5 degrees F respectively.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (average) 190 days Freeze-free period (average) 220 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
">Influencing water features
Soil features
The soils of this site are deep and well drained. The surface textures are fine sandy or loamy fine sand from 10 to 36 inches thick. The textures of the argillic subsoil are sandy clay loam, fine sandy loam or loamy fine sand. In some soils, a calcic horizon occurs at a depth of 20 to 40 inches. The soils have moderately rapid or moderate permeability. The available water-holding capacity is moderate to high. The plant-soil-air-water relationship is good. Because of the coarse surface textures, the soils, if unprotected by plant cover and organic residue, becomes wind blown and low hummocks or dunes are formed around shrubs.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Loamy fine sand
(2) Fine sand
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderately slow to moderately rapid Soil depth 40 – 72 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)6 – 12 in Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 4 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)6.1 – 9 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 35 % Ecological dynamics
State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityCommunity 1.1
Historic Climax Plant CommunityThis site is a grassland dominated by warm-season, tall and mid-grasses. Cool-season bunchgrasses, shrubs and half-shrubs, and forbs occupy approximately 40 to 45 percent of the plant community and are evenly distributed. The forb composition fluctuates from year to year depending upon moisture conditions.
Figure 4. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 5. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Grass/Grasslike 1050 1575 2100 Shrub/Vine 225 338 450 Forb 225 338 450 Total 1500 2251 3000 Table 6. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 20% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 30% Forb foliar cover 0-10% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 30% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 30% Figure 5. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). NM4728 , R077BY028NM Sandy Plains Reference State. R077BY028NM Sandy Plains Reference State.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 2 3 3 5 5 25 30 15 10 2 0 Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Sand bluestem 405–450 sand bluestem ANHA Andropogon hallii 405–450 – 2 Little bluestem 225–270 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium 225–270 – 3 Sand spike dropseed 158–225 spike dropseed SPCO4 Sporobolus contractus 158–225 – sand dropseed SPCR Sporobolus cryptandrus 158–225 – 4 NM feathergrass 135–180 New Mexico feathergrass HENE5 Hesperostipa neomexicana 135–180 – 5 Needleandthread 68–113 needle and thread HECO26 Hesperostipa comata 68–113 – 6 Hairy grama 68–113 hairy grama BOHI2 Bouteloua hirsuta 68–113 – 7 threeawn spp. 68–113 threeawn ARIST Aristida 68–113 – 8 Sideoats grama 68–113 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula 68–113 – 9 Black grama 68–113 black grama BOER4 Bouteloua eriopoda 68–113 – 10 sand paspalum fall witchgrass red lovegrass plains 68–113 fall witchgrass DICO6 Digitaria cognata 68–113 – red lovegrass ERSE Eragrostis secundiflora 68–113 – thin paspalum PASE5 Paspalum setaceum 68–113 – plains bristlegrass SEVU2 Setaria vulpiseta 68–113 – 11 Indiangrass Switchgrass 68–113 switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum 68–113 – Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans 68–113 – 12 Indian Ricegrass 23–68 Indian ricegrass ACHY Achnatherum hymenoides 23–68 – 13 Annual grasses Sedges 0–45 Grass, annual 2GA Grass, annual 0–45 – sedge CAREX Carex 0–45 – Forb14 Queensdelight globemallow annual buckwheat sunflo 68–113 annual buckwheat ERAN4 Eriogonum annuum 68–113 – common sunflower HEAN3 Helianthus annuus 68–113 – globemallow SPHAE Sphaeralcea 68–113 – queen's-delight STSY Stillingia sylvatica 68–113 – 15 Annual forbs 45–90 Forb, annual 2FA Forb, annual 45–90 – 16 Perennial forbs 45–90 Forb, perennial 2FP Forb, perennial 45–90 – 17 Westerragweed stickleaf wooly beeblossom mustard d 0–68 Cuman ragweed AMPS Ambrosia psilostachya 0–68 – mustard BRASS2 Brassica 0–68 – prairie clover DALEA Dalea 0–68 – Adonis blazingstar MEMU3 Mentzelia multiflora 0–68 – Shrub/Vine18 Sand sagebrush 113–158 sand sagebrush ARFI2 Artemisia filifolia 113–158 – 19 Small soapweed 68–113 soapweed yucca YUGL Yucca glauca 68–113 – 20 plains rabbitbrush 23–68 rubber rabbitbrush ERNA10 Ericameria nauseosa 23–68 – 21 Sand plum 23–68 Watson's plum PRANW Prunus angustifolia var. watsonii 23–68 – 22 Skunkbush sumac 23–68 skunkbush sumac RHTR Rhus trilobata 23–68 – 23 Groundsel 23–45 ragwort SENEC Senecio 23–45 – 24 Prickly pear mormon tea 0–45 mormon tea EPVI Ephedra viridis 0–45 – plains pricklypear OPPO Opuntia polyacantha 0–45 – Interpretations
Animal community
Habitat for Wildlife:
No DataHydrological functions
Soil Series----Hydrologic Group
Amarillo-------B
Arch-----------B
Brownfield------A
Clovis---------B
Drake----------B
Gomez----------B
Mansker--------B
Springer-------A, BRecreational uses
Recreation potential is limited due to the lack of access roads for two-wheel drive vehicles, lack of live water and the lack of shade. The terrain typical of the “wide open spaces” of the area enhances aesthetic appeal. Hunting for upland game birds and antelope is fair. The natural beauty is enhanced by the variety of flowering plants that bloom from early spring to fall and the varying color hues of vegetation as it matures.
Wood products
This site produces no wood products.
Other products
Grazing:
This site can be grazed any season of the year by all classes of livestock, generally without regard to age. However, cattle most efficiently utilize it. The variety of grasses, forbs and half-shrubs furnishes good nutrition to grazing animals during most seasons of the year. Approximately 90 percent of the annual production furnish forage for grazing animals. Continuous grazing or grazing continually during the period from April to October by cattle will result in a plant community dominated by low forage value species such as sand dropseed, sand sagebrush, yucca and threeawn spp. Sand sagebrush and yucca may increase to the extent that they are the dominant vegetation. A system of deferred grazing, which varies the season of grazing and rest, is needed to maintain or to improve a healthy well-balanced plant community. Rest in different seasons benefits different plants. Winter rest will benefit all woody species. Spring rest (April-June) encourages forb production and will benefit New Mexico feathergrass, Indian ricegrass and needleandthread. Summer rest (July-September) benefits warm-season grasses such as sand bluestem, sideoats grama and little bluestem to grow and reproduce. Fall rest allows plants to complete their growth cycle. New Mexico feathergrass and needleandthread are utilized readily by cattle in the spring and fall and least utilized in the summer when the awns interfere with utilization and may injure cattle. Although utilization in June is detrimental to stands of needleandthread and New Mexico feathergrass, a quick, moderate cropping when the heads are in the boot state of development can remove the heads and prevent subsequent interference and injury to cattle by awns. For this purpose, the timing and degree of use must be determined on limited areas, preferably when soil moisture is adequate for regrowth, and should be followed by a period of deferment. Sand sagebrush can be controlled by concentrating cattle during the late winter and early spring followed by deferment until October.Other information
Guide to Suggested Initial Stocking Rate Acres per Animal Unit Month
Similarity Index---Ac/AUM
100 - 76-----------1.8 – 3.0
75 – 51------------2.3 – 4.3
50 – 26------------3.0 – 8.6
25 – 0-------------8.6+Supporting information
Type locality
Location 1: Quay County, NM Location 2: Harding County, NM Location 3: Curry County, NM Other references
Data collection for this site was done in conjunction with the progressive soil surveys within the Southern High Plains 77 Major Land Resource Area of New Mexico. This site has been mapped and correlated with soils in the following soil surveys: Curry, Harding, & Quay.
Contributors
Christine Bishop
Don Sylvester
Elizabeth Wright
John TunbergRangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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